Biological and Nutrient Packages Available

Measuring the Biomass of bacteria in a sample is the first step in understanding the health of a soil and the potential benefit of an inoculum or amendment. Total population of bacteria provides us with an indicator of abundance of food for predators, nutrient cycling capacity and general diversity of the bacterial population. We report this number as micrograms per gram or micrograms per milliliter (μg/g or μg/ml) of biomass. The Active population is the component of the Total Biomass that is currently metabolizing oxygen; i.e., the functional fraction of the bacteria. The relative range of these two numbers varies based on crop type and season. When looking at inoculants the balance between Active and Total is important for two different reasons: In compost this balance needs to be below 10%, indicating a mature and stable material. In liquid inoculums, higher ratios are better for a foliar application. This high activity assists the organisms stick to the plant surface. For soil application of a liquid, this balance may not be as critical as bacteria will become active in the soil environment.

Fungi play an important role in nutrient retention and transportation, soil structure and pH in the soil. Plant system succession is directly linked to the ratio of Fungi to Bacteria and is the first area we address when we approach remediation steps. Like bacteria, we report Biomass of Fungi in as micrograms per gram or micrograms per milliliter (μg/g or μg/ml). Instead of counting individual populations, we measure length and width of fungi present. Reporting this as biomass we can do direct comparisons of Fungi and Bacteria. When we observe and measure fungi we are looking at three primary things, total population, activity level (same basic method as Bacteria) and average hyphal diameter. Diameter not only helps us determine biomass, but in general terms, identifies whether the overall population of fungi is beneficial. On average diameter greater than 2.5 μm is ideal. Hyphal diameter also helps in reporting relative diversity; the more diverse the fungi present in the sample, the better.

Measuring Protozoa is a bit different from measuring Bacteria and Fungi. Our method involves creating several dilutions of the sample and then correlating presence and absence of each group to create a Most Probable Number #/g or #/ml. Unlike bacteria and fungi, it can take up to 5 days to complete this test. Protozoa are typically single cell organisms that feed upon bacteria. Flagellates and Amoebae are true aerobes, meaning they must have adequate oxygen to survive, while Ciliates are Facultative Anaerobes, meaning they can survive in low oxygen conditions. Numbers of Protozoa in are very important as an indicator of potential nutrient cycling. If there are sufficient levels of Flagellates and Amoebae then aerobic nutrient cycling can occur; however, high levels of Ciliates can be an indicator that anaerobic nutrient cycling is occurring. We use Ciliates to help identify potential anaerobic conditions in the sample.

The process for identifying and quantifying Nematodes is relatively simple in function, but the results are often a very useful indicator of the health of soil. Similar to Protozoa, Nematodes are very important for the nutrient cycling they provide. We report total number of Nematodes per gram or ml in the sample, then we breakdown this total population to Genus and Functional Group. The Functional Groups of Nematodes are: Bacterial Feeders: This group of Beneficial Nematodes feeds on bacteria, they help to keep the bacterial populations in balance and in the process of consumption cycle soluble nutrients in the root zone of the plants. Fungal Feeders: As the name would suggest this group of Nematodes feeds on fungi, again, keeping these populations in balance and cycling nutrients in the root zone. Many of these types of Nematodes also feed on fungi that can cause disease in plants. Having a good, diverse population of these organisms can be a valuable asset for plants that are more susceptible to some types of fungal diseases. Predatory Nematodes: These Nematodes are specialized in eating other Nematodes; typically they prey on Root Feeding Nematodes and can help minimize the damage from them. This group will also consume Protozoa and some types of micro‐arthropods. Again, their excretions become an excellent source of nutrients for plants. Fungal/Root Feeders: This is an interesting group of Nematodes, they typically act as Fungal Feeders, but if the population of Fungi is low, or if the right combination of plants and Nematodes are present they will eat the roots of the plants. We use this group as an indicator for both healthy fungal populations and, at the same time, for potential disease issues in the plants. Root Feeders: This is the group of Nematodes that is truly parasitic to plants. There are many types, and depending on the Genus and the plant being grown, they can be a real problem for production and plant health. As few as one root feeder per gram of soil can hinder productivity. As an indicator of soil health, this is a group to watch. By looking at the total population and functional groups of Nematodes in a soil or solid amendment such as compost, while cross‐referencing the plant being grown, we can get a fairly good picture of productivity. In solid amendments, we can find very high numbers of Nematodes, but usually very low diversity; however, despite the low diversity, compost is one of the best sources for nematode inoculants. In liquid amendments, such as compost tea, we typically find very few Nematodes; they do not like pure liquid environments.

This value is NOT a measurement of the chemical level of nitrogen in the sample, as most chemical soil tests show. Nitrogen cycling potential is a value directly correlated to the Protozoa and Nematode levels in the sample. Assuming these organisms survive and there is an adequate level of nitrogen, oxygen, and prey, this test result is the potential nitrogen (shown in pounds per acre) that is cycled by these organisms in a three to six month period. This value can be very useful in determining efficient application levels of nitrogen fertilizer.

Mycorrhizal Fungi are an important type of fungi that creates a symbiotic relationship with the root system of most plants, allowing for more nutrient and water uptake into the plant. We test for percentage (%) of colonization of three general types of these fungi, ENDO (inside the root) and ECTO (outside the root) and ERICOID (associated only with Ericaceous plants). Most plants require just one type, but a few types require both ENDO and ECTO. Ericoid mycorrhiza are associated with Ericaceous plants, such as Blueberries, Huckleberries and Rhododendrons. NOTE: You must include 10 inches (25 cm) root material in your sample in order for us to perform the Mycorrhizal Colonization test. It is also important for us to know the type of plant roots we are testing to be sure we look for the correct type of colonization.

This is currently the only test we perform for finding and enumerating a specific bacterial organism. We use a plate count method and report in colony forming units (CFU) per gram or milliliter of the sample. Our method is approved by the EPA for testing E. coli. The E. coli test is typically performed on soil amendments, such as compost or compost tea, to identify potential health risks. Each state has regulations regarding safe levels of this organism for use on food crops and for material handler safety.

This soil chemistry test uses a modified Spurway method that illustrates what nutrients are actually available to the plant in the root zone. It is not a measure based solely on extractable macro-nutrients as most other chemistry tests are. Our Crop Specific Nutrient Package gives you more information than many other chemistry tests as well, including the following assays: pH, soil type, Humus content, soluble salts, Calcium, Nitrates, Ammonium, Phosphate, Potassium, Magnesium, Iron, Manganese, Boron, Copper, Zinc, Sulfates and Chlorides. The information from this test correlates well to soil biology testing and gives you a complete picture of what is happening near your plant’s roots. This test can also be performed without a specific crop indicated to obtain an available nutrient “baseline” on soils, composts and liquid amendments such as compost tea.

These packages are a measurement of extractable nutrients. This does not mean they are necessarily in a plant available form. Some may be plant available and some may be in the media but “locked up” meaning they are in a form that plants are NOT able to consume. This is where microbiology becomes so important. It is microorganisms that collect and process though their bodies these nutrients and the waste they extract are nutrients that are in a form plants CAN consume. These test packages give you the total nutrients in that media which can be converted and made available to plants.  Below are the assays measured for each specific media type.

Soil Package:  pH, texture, soluble salts, % organic matter, nitrates (NO₃), ammonium (NH₄), phosphorus (P), potassium (K),  sulfur (S), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), boron (B), cation exchange capacity (CEC), % base saturation, # nitrogen per acre.

Solid Amendment Package: % moisture, nitrogen (N), phosphate (P₂O₅), potash (K₂O), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), boron (B), sulfur (S), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), carbon to nitrogen ratio (C:N) and maturity.

Liquid Package: pH, electrical conductivity (EC), % carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphate (P₂O₅), potash (K₂O), calcium (Ca), magnesium (mg), sulfur (S), Zinc (An), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), boron (B), chloride (Cl), # per gallon.

Salmonella are bacterial facultative anaerobes. These bacteria are intracellular pathogens that can cause illness. They can be transferred from animal to human and from human to human. Salmonella is tested with the SDIX method.

Verticillium is a genus of fungi which is known to cause vascular wilt disease in host plants.  Verticillium wilt can occur in more than 400 eudicot plant species.

Phthium (blight) is a genus of parasitic oomycote. Most species are plant parasites and highly destructive in turfgrass, bent grasses and ryegrasses.

Phytophthora (root rot) Phythophthora is a genus of plant-damaging Oomycetes which can cause economic losses on crops worldwide. They also can cause environmental damage in natural ecosystems.

Fusarium species exist as plant pathogens or saprophytes on plant debris and in soil. Plant parasitic Fusarium causes wilting of many plants and is similar to Verticillium wilt. Fusarium causes crop disease in a wide range of commodity crops, from cereals to melon, pepper, potato and tomato. Some species affect barley, oats, rye and wheat, causing canker, blight and root rot.

These three diseases are analysed and reported in CFU’s (colony forming units)

This package is plant specific. Up to 9 of the most common soil borne diseases of the given plant will be analysed and reported in CFU’s (colony forming units) This is not a plant tissue test rather a soil test of soil borne disease. A partial list of plants that can be tested: Potato, small grain, sugar beet, mint, onion, corn, cotton, pea, bean, alfalfa, hop, caneberry, blueberry, apple, stone fruit, turfgrass, herbaceous ornamentals and woody ornamentals.

While a few aspects of irrigation water quality have a direct impact on plants, the primary goal of water analysis is to judge the effect of the water on the soil, and ultimately on the plants grown in the soil.Knowing what’s in your irrigation water is essential for the day-to-day practice, affecting both the irrigation regime and amendment schedule.

Included in Irrigation Complete Water Test: pH, electrical conductivitly (EC Water), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), sulfates (SO₄), boron (B), nitrates (NO₃), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), sodium absorption ratio, chlorides (Cl), bicarbonates (HCO₃)

E.coli(Escherichia coli) and coliforms are bacteria found in the environment, foods, and intestines of people and animals. Although most strains of E. coli are harmless, others can make you sick. Irrigation water used for food crops can be a potential source of contamination with microbial pathogens that cause human illnesses which is why the water should be monitored.